Judge postpones trial date for former Kan. doctor

WICHITA, Kansas (AP) – A former Kansas doctor accused of unlawfully possessing drugs and a firearm will get more time to put together a defense.

U.S. District Judge Monti Belot on Wednesday granted an unopposed defense request to delay Lawrence Simons’ upcoming trial this month. The judge set a new trial date for Sept. 20.

A defense filing cites the “overwhelming” contents of storage lockers where authorities found prescription drugs. Video and photos depict nine tables covered with drugs and medical paraphernalia. Prosecutors have also turned over multiple CDs.

Simons is a convicted felon who allegedly gave a bondsman a gun as partial payment for bailing him out of jail in an unrelated criminal threat case. Simons had surrendered his license to write prescriptions, and could not lawfully possess controlled substances.